My dad lives there, actually just outside St. George, in Ivins. Built a beautiful home in some communist HOA place called Kayenta. He and his wife love the area. They hike nearly every day. Regularly go to Zion and other parks. There is an awesome shooting sports center there, but it got closed for a while because some dumbasses let some rounds hit the highway. It think it has since re-opened.
There has been a lot of growth over the past 10 years or so since he's been there. It gets hot in the summer of course. He usually packs up a small trailer and hits the road in the summer, visiting parks and hiking. I'm not sure what drives the economy other than retirees and people moving there. There has been tons of construction work, and I think a lot of growth of the hospital.
Vegas is two hours away, which is where he generally gets flights from. Usually drives to Mesquite to get liquors, wine, beer.
The only 'issue' he ran into and its not really an issue, was being constantly recruited by the Mormon Church. He's fairly religious (methodist), and, in trying to be friendly/neighborly, would often get invited to events - dinners, etc. He'd accept, and over time it would become clear they were trying to draw him into the fold. Not interested, now he just politely declines, and no issue. You will also run into fundamentalist mormons on a not irregluar basis - mostly at the costco. Again, no problem, just something you won't see elsewhere.
Its really about the climate/environment. If you like the desert, its great.
I like trees.
